Brendan Steele trying to win 3rd straight Safeway Open title

NAPA, Calif. (AP) — Brendan Steele is trying to win the Safeway Open for the third straight season. He’s also eager for the new PGA Tour season because it’s a fresh start. He missed the…

NAPA, Calif. (AP) — Brendan Steele is trying to win the Safeway Open for the third straight season. He’s also eager for the new PGA Tour season because it’s a fresh start.

He missed the cuts in four of his last five tournaments.

“I really didn’t like how I finished last season,” said Steele, set to open with title defense Thursday on the North Course at Silverado Resort and Spa. “I wasn’t very good the past few months. I just got confused with what I was doing; I was making the game really hard.”

Phil Mickelson, part of the losing U.S. Ryder Cup team Sunday in France, is playing the season-opening event for the third straight year and fourth overall. He tied for third last year.

Tony Finau, Mickelson’s teammate as a first-time Ryder Cup participant, was second last year.

Brandt Snedeker, the Wyndham Championship winner last season, also in the field.

“My game really feels good. I’m excited where it is,” said Snedeker, playing in the opener for the first time since 2015. “It’s getting better every week. I’ve figures some new things out over about the last month and a half. I am trying to build on that.”

Hall of Famer Fred Couples also is playing along with 2014 champion Sagmoon Bae and 2015 winner Emiliano Grillo.